Eddy Le Huitouze on the attack, Lewis Bower again in the top 10
# Sprinters Show Strength: Davide Donati Claims Victory in Tour de Wallonie Stage 3
In an exhilarating stage 3 of the Tour de Wallonie held on Monday, sprinter Davide Donati claimed victory in Antoing amidst a fierce competition that featured a breakaway of twelve riders in the final twenty kilometers. Despite the challenges, Groupama-FDJ saw Lewis Bower secure an impressive eighth place, while Eddy Le Huitouze made headlines as he spent a significant amount of time at the front of the race.
The stage unfolded with a manageable elevation gain of just 800 meters over 165 kilometers, showcasing only one classified climb. Frédéric Guesdon, the team’s director, noted, “Before the next two tough days, it was a good opportunity for a guy like Eddy to have fun at the front.” Eddy leapt into action early, forming an early breakaway of three after just five kilometers. The team had hopes for a larger group, but a late-punctured tire by Kevin Geniets hindered the strategy, limiting their break’s effectiveness.
Guesdon remarked, “Three riders weren’t enough, but he still had a great stage,” reflecting on Eddy’s spirited performance. Moments after the trio built a lead of 4’30, the effort became increasingly difficult as teams like Israel-Premier Tech and Cofidis began to close in. Ultimately, Le Huitouze’s breakaway came to an end just 21 kilometers from the finish, leading into the chaotic final sprint.
As the tension mounted, the competition intensified with the ascent of the côte du château d’Antoing. With strategic bonuses enticing riders, the team’s plan was to support Kevin Geniets for a strong finish. Unfortunately, Kevin faced a setback, puncturing just before the hill. “Without this puncture, he would have been with the twelve guys,” Guesdon lamented. Despite this, Kevin managed to rejoin the peloton with just over ten kilometers to go.
The final stretch was marked by frantic sprinting, ultimately leading to Donati’s victory. Guesdon praised Lewis Bower, observing that “the plan was to help him as far as possible,” but due to the mishap with Kevin, adjustments had to be made. Despite limited support, Lewis clinched a commendable eighth place following his seventh place finish the day before.
“This time, it ended pretty well for us,” concluded Guesdon, as Lewis finds himself among the top contenders in his first two stages. Looking ahead, the narrative shifts to Tuesday’s stage towards Seraing, which promises to test the riders with 2,500 meters of elevation gain, tackling famed climbs from Liège-Bastogne-Liège, including the Col du Rosier and the Côte de la Redoute. “It’s going to be a big fight,” Guesdon predicted, signaling the arrival of tougher challenges ahead for all teams.
